The Queen has been spotted meeting Prince William and Kate Middleton's newborn son for the first time.

The 87-year-old monarch arrived at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's residence this morning (July 24) to meet her great-grandson, who is third in line to the throne, following his birth on Monday (July 22).

She was photographed at Kensington Palace in the back seat of a dark green Bentley at around 10.45am and stayed for just over 30 minutes.

The Queen was reported to have told a guest at a Buckingham Palace reception yesterday that she was "thrilled" by the happy occasion, while an official statement released after the birth said that she and Prince Philip were "delighted at the news".

It is thought that the Queen was the first person Prince William told about the birth in a phone call from St Mary's Hospital in Paddington.